The current Sicilian horticultural season is still struggling to stabilise, at least as far as production and marketing are concerned, after an autumn/winter campaign marked by high prices and poor availability in the fields.
Emanuele Scala
"For a few weeks now, we have been in the middle of our horticultural production, with practically the whole range of greenhouse items available," says Emanuele Scala of the Costa dei Sapori. "However, although prices have remained fairly high, we have noticed a certain drop over the past ten days, alongside a reduction in consumption. At least this is the data, as far as we are concerned."
Plum tomatoes
Drop in demand
"We are also registering a drop in foreign demand, while the Italian market continues to fluctuate leading to multiple issues. Contrary to popular belief, our work is based on quantity, i.e. kilos of goods sold, and not on price performance. In recent periods, high prices have caused the quantities processed to shrink. On the other hand, consumers are quick to direct their purchases in the fruit and vegetable department to other segments, if the prices of the items we produce are continually on the up. This has an impact on the overall performance of production and trading companies, which have to bear higher and higher costs for consumables, starting with packaging. Labour and rising energy costs also have a heavy impact."
Oblong salad tomatoes
Between consistency and competition
"Another fundamental aspect is the absence of aggregation. Making a common front, as they do in Spain or in northern Italy when it comes to apple production, is not contemplated by the Sicilians, who tend to remain individualists. There is no cartel nor common prices, they are actually used to bringing prices downwards, leaving room for the lowest bidder who always finds a way to circumvent market conditions. We should talk more and be consistent with what we say when it comes to the rest of the commercial chain. As long as we continue to cause confusion and compete for a few cents, we will always be powerless."
A crate of aubergines with the packaging line in the background
Producer prices
The Costa dei Sapori product range currently includes the following items (prices are always production prices)
- green oblong tomatoes: €0.70-0.90/kg;
- beefsteak tomatoes: €1.00-1.20/kg;
- San Marzano red tomatoes: €1.60-1.90/kg;
- red and yellow plum tomatoes: €1.80-2.10/kg;
- cherry tomatoes: €1.40-1.70/kg;
- smooth round bunch tomatoes: €1.00-1.30/kg;
- midi plum tomatoes: €1.10-1.60/kg;
- dark green courgettes: €0.70-0.90/kg;
- round aubergines: €1.00-1.20/kg.
For more information:
Emanuele Scala
Società Agricola Cooperativa Costa Dei Sapori
C/da Palmentella
97018 Scicli (RG) - Italy
+39 340 276 1779
info@costadeisapori.it
www.costadeisapori.it